Outlaw Motorcycle GangsOutlaw Motorcycle Gangs

History and NatureHistory and NatureWorld War II Alienation and Hostility (American)World War II Alienation and Hostility (American)

Continued comradery Continued comradery Freedom from social responsibilitiesFreedom from social responsibilities

Police harassment of Hell’s Angels & media (1965)Police harassment of Hell’s Angels & media (1965)Legitimate job loss Legitimate job loss Vietnam WarVietnam War

Major increase in membershipMajor increase in membership

Structure & OperationsStructure & OperationsBureaucratic (military veterans’ experiences; CA)Bureaucratic (military veterans’ experiences; CA)

Written constitution and bylaws Written constitution and bylaws Mother Club (Leader); Chapters (Presidents)Mother Club (Leader); Chapters (Presidents)National Enforcement Unit; Security/Intelligence National Enforcement Unit; Security/Intelligence

Racist and Sexist (all white males); ViolentRacist and Sexist (all white males); Violent“Old Ladies,” “Mamas” and “Sheep”“Old Ladies,” “Mamas” and “Sheep”No needles; Large Harley’s (Mandatory Runs ~ 20K)No needles; Large Harley’s (Mandatory Runs ~ 20K)Colors; Patches (666, FTW, 1%) Colors; Patches (666, FTW, 1%)

Hells AngelsHells AngelsFormed in San Bernardino, CA (Fontana – WWII Vets) - POBBFormed in San Bernardino, CA (Fontana – WWII Vets) - POBB

Chapters in the US and WorldwideChapters in the US and Worldwide–– Canada, Brazil, S. Africa, Greece, Spain, Norway, Croatia, France…Canada, Brazil, S. Africa, Greece, Spain, Norway, Croatia, France…

Mother Club (Oakland) – No National President? (S. Barger)Mother Club (Oakland) – No National President? (S. Barger)East and West Coast Factions (Omaha, NE)East and West Coast Factions (Omaha, NE)~1,000 members (Mandatory Tattoo “Colors”)~1,000 members (Mandatory Tattoo “Colors”)

Red and White colorsRed and White colors“Death Head” patch - skull wearing aviator cap inside set/wings“Death Head” patch - skull wearing aviator cap inside set/wingsEnforcement Unit (“Filthy Few”)Enforcement Unit (“Filthy Few”)Motto: “One on all, all on one”Motto: “One on all, all on one”Rivals: Gypsy JokersRivals: Gypsy JokersBan “Crack”Ban “Crack”

Written RulesWritten Rules•• Meetings once a week at a predetermined time and place; fined for Meetings once a week at a predetermined time and place; fined for

missing a meeting without a valid reason.missing a meeting without a valid reason.•• No fighting among club members; fine applies.No fighting among club members; fine applies.•• New members voted on at fourth meeting.New members voted on at fourth meeting.•• 2 officers from each chapter must attend CA meeting every 2 months 2 officers from each chapter must attend CA meeting every 2 months •• No spiking the club’s booze with dope.No spiking the club’s booze with dope.•• No throwing live ammunition into bonfire’s on runs.No throwing live ammunition into bonfire’s on runs.•• No messing with another member’s wife.No messing with another member’s wife.•• No using dope during a meeting.No using dope during a meeting.•• No drug burns.No drug burns.

Unwritten RulesUnwritten Rules

•• Must beat up people wearing phony Hells Must beat up people wearing phony Hells Angels patches (group from San Rafael)Angels patches (group from San Rafael)

•• Earning Red & Black WingsEarning Red & Black Wings–– Red: performing oral sex on a girl who is on periodRed: performing oral sex on a girl who is on period–– Black: performing oral sex on a black girlBlack: performing oral sex on a black girl

Ralph “Sonny” Barger Ralph “Sonny” Barger

•• Dropped out of schoolDropped out of school•• Entered the military illegally Entered the military illegally •• 1954- organized street club Earth Angels1954- organized street club Earth Angels•• 1957- formed the Hell’s Angels Oakland Chapter and is 1957- formed the Hell’s Angels Oakland Chapter and is

the Presidentthe President•• Bike named Sweet CocaineBike named Sweet Cocaine•• Oakland Clubhouse called the Snake PitOakland Clubhouse called the Snake Pit

SnitchesSnitches

•• Ex-Members: not allowed back into HAMCEx-Members: not allowed back into HAMC•• Females: are “turned out”: HA will pick up the Females: are “turned out”: HA will pick up the

girl, bring her to a house, make her strip, hold girl, bring her to a house, make her strip, hold her down and gang rape her (seniority) in front her down and gang rape her (seniority) in front of the members who want to watchof the members who want to watch

PagansPagansPGC, Maryland (1959) – Norse Fire GodPGC, Maryland (1959) – Norse Fire GodDrugs and ProstitutionDrugs and ProstitutionMother Club (Black “13”) - Direct control Mother Club (Black “13”) - Direct control

~ 26 Chapters & 500 Members – NO Chapter~ 26 Chapters & 500 Members – NO ChapterEnforcement Unit (“Black T-Shirt Squad”) Enforcement Unit (“Black T-Shirt Squad”) Lifetime Commitment Lifetime Commitment

Must attend funeral and take care of all arrangementsMust attend funeral and take care of all arrangementsNo internal fighting (Sergeant-at-arms, Mother Club)No internal fighting (Sergeant-at-arms, Mother Club)Respect all property Respect all property

•• By 1968, expanded so rapidly they ran the East Coast.By 1968, expanded so rapidly they ran the East Coast.•• Ranked among fiercest outlaw bikers in US with about 900 Ranked among fiercest outlaw bikers in US with about 900

members in 44 chapters between NY and Florida.members in 44 chapters between NY and Florida.•• Only major gang without international chapters, although they Only major gang without international chapters, although they

do have ties with gangs in Canada. Most chapters are in NJ, PA, do have ties with gangs in Canada. Most chapters are in NJ, PA, DE, and MD.DE, and MD.

•• More nomadic than other clubs (known to move overnight). Do not More nomadic than other clubs (known to move overnight). Do not have fixed geography mother chapter in Oakland.have fixed geography mother chapter in Oakland.

•• Operations guided by a mother club of 13-20 former chapter Operations guided by a mother club of 13-20 former chapter presidents. They wear a black number 13 on the back of their colors presidents. They wear a black number 13 on the back of their colors to indicate their special status. Mother club alternates meetings to indicate their special status. Mother club alternates meetings between Suffolk and Nassau counties in Long Island, NY. Members between Suffolk and Nassau counties in Long Island, NY. Members meet at each others homes, rather than at clubhouses.meet at each others homes, rather than at clubhouses.

•• President sets club prices for drugs to be sold. As a show of class the President sets club prices for drugs to be sold. As a show of class the Pagan’s give their president, Paul “Ooch” Ferry, the same as the Pagan’s give their president, Paul “Ooch” Ferry, the same as the President of the United States.President of the United States.

•• Women of the PMC have no rights; all Pagan prostitutes; Women of the PMC have no rights; all Pagan prostitutes; extremely profitable operation.extremely profitable operation.

•• Many Pagan girlfriends or female associates generated money for Many Pagan girlfriends or female associates generated money for the club by selling themselves; many are runaways. The bikers the club by selling themselves; many are runaways. The bikers gang rape them and call it training and sometimes even take gang rape them and call it training and sometimes even take pictures to use as blackmail.pictures to use as blackmail.

•• Some are abused and then let go; some stay with the club; others Some are abused and then let go; some stay with the club; others are never heard from or found.are never heard from or found.

•• Pagans’ propensity for violence and proximity to mob turf Pagans’ propensity for violence and proximity to mob turf earns the club the best MC connections to traditional OC.earns the club the best MC connections to traditional OC.

•• Pagans act as: Drug couriers, Enforcers, Bodyguards, hit Pagans act as: Drug couriers, Enforcers, Bodyguards, hit men for the mob, mostly in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.men for the mob, mostly in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

•• Associate with Genovese and Gambino Families. The Associate with Genovese and Gambino Families. The cooperation between them starts out with small tasks. For cooperation between them starts out with small tasks. For example, Clubbing a trade unionist with a baseball bat when example, Clubbing a trade unionist with a baseball bat when he fails to vote the way the mob wants him to.he fails to vote the way the mob wants him to.

•• Manufacture and distribute most methamphetamine and PCP Manufacture and distribute most methamphetamine and PCP in Northeastern U.S. ( ~ $15 million a year). in Northeastern U.S. ( ~ $15 million a year).

•• Own chemists and labs, which supply dealers in:Own chemists and labs, which supply dealers in:1.1. ConnecticutConnecticut2.2. New YorkNew York3.3. New JerseyNew Jersey4.4. PennsylvaniaPennsylvania5.5. VirginiaVirginia6.6. Maryland Maryland 7.7. OhioOhio•• They also deal in cocaine, marijuana and Killer Weed (Parsley They also deal in cocaine, marijuana and Killer Weed (Parsley

sprinkled with PCP). sprinkled with PCP).

•• Caucasian, 18 years old, and owners of American Motorcycles. Caucasian, 18 years old, and owners of American Motorcycles. •• The national sergeant at arms’ responsibility is to hand pick 13 The national sergeant at arms’ responsibility is to hand pick 13

chapter members to serve as the “enforcers” or “regulators.” This chapter members to serve as the “enforcers” or “regulators.” This body uses violence and intimidation to prevent any and all body uses violence and intimidation to prevent any and all opposition to the Mother Club.opposition to the Mother Club.

•• Bikers join for a number of reasons (loners, mutual protection). Bikers join for a number of reasons (loners, mutual protection). Bonds with other motorcyclist are strengthened by the Bonds with other motorcyclist are strengthened by the subscription to non-conventional norms and the rejection of the subscription to non-conventional norms and the rejection of the mainstream society.mainstream society.

•• Secondly, they use OMGs (Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs) as a Secondly, they use OMGs (Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs) as a mechanism of Power. OMG membership brings them Legitimate mechanism of Power. OMG membership brings them Legitimate and illegitimate job opportunities and financial prospects. and illegitimate job opportunities and financial prospects.

BandidosBandidosPrimarily Texas (1966) – HispanicPrimarily Texas (1966) – HispanicMother Club (Houston)Mother Club (Houston)Drugs, prostitution, extortion, fraudDrugs, prostitution, extortion, fraud~ 22 Chapters & 300 members (Australia & France)~ 22 Chapters & 300 members (Australia & France)Enforcement Unit (“Nomad Chapter”)Enforcement Unit (“Nomad Chapter”)

OutlawsOutlawsFormed in Chicago (1950s) – Now in DetroitFormed in Chicago (1950s) – Now in Detroit

Chapters in SE and Southern U.S.Chapters in SE and Southern U.S. ~ 40 Chapters/400 members (Aus & Canada) ~ 40 Chapters/400 members (Aus & Canada)Mascot: Skull over crossed pistons (Charlie)–Wild OnesMascot: Skull over crossed pistons (Charlie)–Wild OnesEnforcement Unit (“SS Death Squad”)Enforcement Unit (“SS Death Squad”)Allied w/BandidosAllied w/BandidosMajor Criminal OperationsMajor Criminal Operations

Drug Trafficking (Valium and cocaine) Drug Trafficking (Valium and cocaine) Extortion, car theft, prostitution and contract murderExtortion, car theft, prostitution and contract murder

U.S. Drug HistoryU.S. Drug History•• Opium (depressant and analgesic) - Opium WarsOpium (depressant and analgesic) - Opium Wars

Missionaries to China; Triad SmugglingMissionaries to China; Triad SmugglingYellow Devils & White Slavery Yellow Devils & White Slavery

•• Morphine (w/out negative side effects?) – 1800s (Cocaine?)Morphine (w/out negative side effects?) – 1800s (Cocaine?)Greek God of Sleep and Dreams – Morpheus Greek God of Sleep and Dreams – Morpheus

“Army Disease” (Civil War) “Army Disease” (Civil War) Tablets & Hypodermic (Cheaper than alcohol)Tablets & Hypodermic (Cheaper than alcohol)

•• Heroin (non-habit forming analgesic?) – 1900s Heroin (non-habit forming analgesic?) – 1900s •• Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906 (Ingredients)Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906 (Ingredients)•• Opium and its derivatives readily available until 1914 Opium and its derivatives readily available until 1914

Harrison Narcotic Act (Registration w/Internal Revenue) Harrison Narcotic Act (Registration w/Internal Revenue)

Golden Triangle – SE AsiaGolden Triangle – SE AsiaEastern Eastern BurmaBurma, Northern , Northern LaosLaos, NE , NE ThailandThailand

150,000 Square Miles of forested highlands 150,000 Square Miles of forested highlands World’s largest opium-producing region World’s largest opium-producing region

High purity and prices now reduce U.S. importation High purity and prices now reduce U.S. importation French withdrawal in 1955 (battle against Marxism)French withdrawal in 1955 (battle against Marxism)

U.S. Invasion (Vietnam)U.S. Invasion (Vietnam)CIA organized groups cultivated heroin (GI Addiction)CIA organized groups cultivated heroin (GI Addiction)

Golden Crescent – SW AsiaGolden Crescent – SW Asia

Afghanistan, Iran, PakistanAfghanistan, Iran, PakistanLimestone soil, climate and altitude Limestone soil, climate and altitude Abundance of cheap laborAbundance of cheap labor

Afghanistan (second in production to Triangle)Afghanistan (second in production to Triangle)Pakistan (processing) – Little government controlPakistan (processing) – Little government controlDrugs fund weapons, ammunition and terrorismDrugs fund weapons, ammunition and terrorism

Early Drug UseEarly Drug Use

•• Opiates and cocaine in natural formsOpiates and cocaine in natural forms•• Chinese immigrants/slaves smuggled opium into Chinese immigrants/slaves smuggled opium into

U.S. (opium dens)U.S. (opium dens)•• Rudimentary medicinal purposesRudimentary medicinal purposes

•• Opium and alcohol as a cure-allOpium and alcohol as a cure-all•• Cocaine as a painkillerCocaine as a painkiller

•• Mexicans and marijuana Mexicans and marijuana •• Primarily minority usePrimarily minority use

International Opium CommissionInternational Opium Commission

•• Theodore RooseveltTheodore Roosevelt•• Shanghai 1909 (13 Nations)Shanghai 1909 (13 Nations)•• Confined use of opiates and cocaine to Confined use of opiates and cocaine to

medicinal purposes onlymedicinal purposes only•• Failed to reach an agreementFailed to reach an agreement

Hague ConferenceHague Conference•• 1914 1914 •• Aimed at solving the massive flow of Chinese opium into UKAimed at solving the massive flow of Chinese opium into UK•• 12 Nations met and signed international convention requiring 12 Nations met and signed international convention requiring

nations present to enact legislation regulating drug trade. nations present to enact legislation regulating drug trade.

“The contracting Powers shall use their best endeavors to adopt, or cause to be “The contracting Powers shall use their best endeavors to adopt, or cause to be adopted, measures to ensure that morphine, cocaine, and their respective salts shall not adopted, measures to ensure that morphine, cocaine, and their respective salts shall not be export from their countries, possessions, colonies, and leased territories to the be export from their countries, possessions, colonies, and leased territories to the countries, possessions, colonies and leased territories of the other contracting Powers, countries, possessions, colonies and leased territories of the other contracting Powers, except when consigned to persons furnished with the licenses or permits provided for except when consigned to persons furnished with the licenses or permits provided for by the laws or regulations of the importing country.”by the laws or regulations of the importing country.”

Harrison Narcotic ActHarrison Narcotic Act

•• Approved December 17, 1914 Approved December 17, 1914 •• Regulated and taxed the production, importation, Regulated and taxed the production, importation,

distribution and use of opiatesdistribution and use of opiates•• Allowed doctors to prescribe narcotics (primarily opiates) in Allowed doctors to prescribe narcotics (primarily opiates) in

course of professional practice only course of professional practice only •• Failed to achieve its goal and was amended in 1924; banned Failed to achieve its goal and was amended in 1924; banned

importation of narcotics for any reasonimportation of narcotics for any reason•• The use of opiates decreased and in turn people turned to The use of opiates decreased and in turn people turned to

the recreational use of primarily cocaine and marijuanathe recreational use of primarily cocaine and marijuana

Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs (BNDD)Drugs (BNDD)

Bureau of Narcotics1930-1968

Department of Treasury

Bureau of Drug Abuse Control

1966-1968Department of Health

and Education Welfare

Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs

1968-1973Department of Justice

•Johnson Administration 1968

•Consolidates several departments into one single department under the Department of Justice

•Intended to resolute “turf wars” between agencies

•Tensions continue between BNDD and Customs

Controlled Substance ActControlled Substance Act•• Passed in 1970Passed in 1970•• Created by the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention Created by the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention

and Control Act and Control Act •• Consolidated all previous drug control acts into one Consolidated all previous drug control acts into one •• Foundation of government's fight against use of illicit Foundation of government's fight against use of illicit

drugs by regulating the manufacture and distributiondrugs by regulating the manufacture and distribution•• Beginning of all out “prohibition” of illicit drugs; drove Beginning of all out “prohibition” of illicit drugs; drove

market undergroundmarket underground

The War on DrugsThe War on Drugs

•• President Richard Nixon 1971President Richard Nixon 1971•• All out offensive against abuse of both illicit and All out offensive against abuse of both illicit and

legally controlled drugslegally controlled drugs•• Most federal funding concentrated toward Most federal funding concentrated toward

treatment rather than enforcementtreatment rather than enforcement•• Office of Drug Abuse Law Enforcement Office of Drug Abuse Law Enforcement

founded to create federal/local task force to founded to create federal/local task force to fight drug trade at street level fight drug trade at street level

Drug Enforcement Administration Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)(DEA)

•• Nixon administration in 1973Nixon administration in 1973•• Consolidates all agents from the BNDD, Consolidates all agents from the BNDD,

ONNI,ODALE, NARM and U.S. Customs ONNI,ODALE, NARM and U.S. Customs •• Designed as a “super agency” to control all Designed as a “super agency” to control all

aspects of drug enforcementaspects of drug enforcement

Office of NationalNarcotics Intelligence

Dept of Justice

Drug Enforcement Administration

Dept of Justice

U.S. Customs Service

Dept of the Treasury

Bureau of Dangerous Drugs and Narcotics

Dept of Justice

Office of Drug Abuse Law Enforcement

Dept of Justice

Narcotics Advance Research Management

Executive Office of the President

The Problem Becomes PublicThe Problem Becomes Public

•• Columbian government seizes 600 kilos cocaine from Columbian government seizes 600 kilos cocaine from private plane in Cali, Colombia private plane in Cali, Colombia

•• Drug traffickers turn violent (Medellin Massacre) Drug traffickers turn violent (Medellin Massacre) •• Becomes apparent that trafficking became organized Becomes apparent that trafficking became organized

(Medellin Cartel)(Medellin Cartel)•• Governments change attitude towards illicit drugs (no Governments change attitude towards illicit drugs (no

more hush-hush)more hush-hush)•• Public attitude shifts (say no to drugs)Public attitude shifts (say no to drugs)

Major Production CountriesMajor Production Countries

•• Colombia* (cocaine)Colombia* (cocaine)•• Mexico* (marijuana/cocaine/heroin, methamphetamine)Mexico* (marijuana/cocaine/heroin, methamphetamine)•• Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan (opiates, mostly heroin)Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan (opiates, mostly heroin)•• Burma, Thailand, Laos (opiates, mostly heroin)Burma, Thailand, Laos (opiates, mostly heroin)•• Jamaica, Cuba, Vietnam, Dominican RepublicJamaica, Cuba, Vietnam, Dominican Republic

Major Consumer CountriesMajor Consumer Countries

•• United StatesUnited States•• Most all Western European Countries Most all Western European Countries •• CanadaCanada•• AustraliaAustralia

Mississippi and Drug Mississippi and Drug TraffickingTrafficking

“The Crossroads of the South”“The Crossroads of the South”Ideal trafficking routes (interstates, railways, ocean ports, river systems)Ideal trafficking routes (interstates, railways, ocean ports, river systems)Facilitates major drug movement from south Texas-Mexico area and Gulf Facilitates major drug movement from south Texas-Mexico area and Gulf ports to the entire midwest and eastern seaboard of the U.S. ports to the entire midwest and eastern seaboard of the U.S.

High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Gulf Region (HIDTA)High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Gulf Region (HIDTA)DEA, state and local cooperation in drug enforcementDEA, state and local cooperation in drug enforcement